NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals head coach
Ricky Ponting
expressed his understanding and support for
Glenn Maxwell
's decision to take an indefinite break from cricket due to mental and physical health concerns. Ponting acknowledged the immense pressure Maxwell faces as a key player for
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
(RCB) and believed that the Australian all-rounder made the right choice in prioritizing his well-being.
Maxwell has struggled with his form this season, scoring low in multiple matches. The constant expectations and demands of being a star player seem to have taken a toll on him. This marks the second time in Maxwell's career that he has taken a break of this nature to focus on his mental and physical health.
The decision to rest Maxwell came at his own request, as he asked to be excused from the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday night.
"For someone like Glenn in that team (RCB), he being one of the 'Big Dogs' along with Virat, a lot of pressure comes on couple of players playing in that team. If they don't perform, the results tend to not follow them," Ponting, who has seen Maxwell from close quarters, told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
RCB find themselves at the bottom of the standings in the 10-team league, having suffered six losses in their seven matches played so far.
IPL: Points Table| Orange Cap | Purple Cap
"If you see what they have done in the tournament so far, pressure builds up on individual player as well. I read that article today morning that Glenn wants to step aside, just have a few games off and try and refresh," Ponting said, adding that every individual has its own coping mechanism.
"Every individual is different right. Some guys would want to get going and push through that and get some runs on board and thus that will change their way of how they think about the game and some guys need to step back and have a break," the legendary Aussie and three-time World Cup winner explained.
Ponting feels it becomes very important for the coach of a team to prioritize a player's mental well-being.
"That's why one needs to be really understanding as a coach now that anyone who is around the cricket team, their health and well-being and welfare of the players is something you think about first."
Ponting believes that for elite athletes, it is important to have their loved ones around them as they are central to their success and failure.
"With more and more cricket being played, a lot of times you are away from home when you play international sport. You are away from all the things that make you happy, that certainly is the biggest part of what we do, coaching or playing.
"I am lucky to have my family now and I have had them here for a few weeks. It makes it a bit easier for me having spent a lot of time away from my family," Ponting added.
On Monday, Maxwell came for the press conference and revealed that he himself volunteered for a break.
"For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision. I have been in this situation in the past where you can keep playing and get yourself deeper into a hole" Maxwell said on Monday night. PTI
"I felt like I wasn't contributing with the bat, and with the results and the position we find ourselves on the table, I think it's a good time to give someone else an opportunity to show their wares, and hopefully, someone can make that spot their own," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
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